Question:
I've been to my doctor about this twice, another doctor, and my dentist 3 times. My doctor didn't seem to think I have TMJ because I don't have the popping or clicking in my jaw. My dentist also was reluctant to label it TMJ for the same reason. But neither one seemed concerned, or frankly to care at all. My doctor said it could be a salivary gland problem and referred me to an ENT, who did a quick exam and said my symptoms are seen a lot in people with anxiety. He didn't order me any tests to find the cause. He said I didn't have TMJ or a salivary gland issure, but in my chart labled it TMJ, so now I can not be referred to another ENT because I already have a "diagnosis". My dentist finally had a splint made for me after my third visit because I told him I wake up in the night with my teeth clinched. It doesn't seem to be helping.
Here are my symptoms:
Jaw and face pain
jaw and neck on affected side feel swollen all the time, but appear normal.
small rubbery lump on my jaw right behind my lower back tooth
ear on affected side congested on and off and sometimes aches
eustachian tube on affected side sometimes hurts to the touch
my face feels like it's sagging on affected side, but again doesn't look it.
sometimes my upper teeth on affected side ache into my sinus'
sometimes my tongue feels swollen of affected side
my neck and shoulder sometimes ache on affected side.
it feels like my salivary gland is irritated under the very back of my tongue on affected side.
rubbery lump on muscle where upper and lower jaw connect
All the symptoms seem to improve for a couple of hours when I take ibuprofen, but come right back.
Also eating a purely liquid (or at least really soft) diet seems to help a little with the pain.
I have no popping. I had a jaw x-ray which showed the joint space is intact, no bony disturbance is seen on either side, but there is slightly decreased excursion on affected side. The last doctor I saw said that is a normal difference and doesn't mean anything.
Would an x-ray show if there was a tumor on my jaw or a salivary gland issue?
Thanks so much for any reply. I'm really depressed about this as I'm in a lot of pain and the doctors, and my whole medical plan, is done with me. I don't know what to do next.
Answer:
i have had acc for the last 10 years. i would definitley seek a second opinion. do not settle . if you are not comfortable with his decision -get another one. even a third if necessary. my tumor did not show up on a x-ray. it did however on a ct scan. if you can catch it early it is best. but there could be others things too. it may not be cancer but you really need to have that ruled out for sure. good luck to you and i will keep you in my prayers. keep us posted on what happens.
Answer:
What were your early symptoms mabegb?
Answer:
Also, how long did it take you to get a diagnosis?
Answer:
i first noticed my jaw was sore and when i was rubbing it i felt a small lump kind of on my jaw. i thought it was something dental. when i asked my doctor she sent me for a x-ray . she thought maybe tmj even though i had no popping or headaches. nothing showed up on the x-ray. fortunately she decided to send me to get a ct and that is when they spotted it. i went to a ent and he did the surgery to remove the tumor. it came back acc so they went backin and removed more tissue , the muscle and facialnerve. other than that i didn't have many warning signs - i don't think. they thought i probably had this for 6 months to a year. it was stage 2. generally acc is very slow growing but it can be aggressive. it is also a very rare cancer. for you to have heard of it before being diagnosed with it im very surprised.
i would have it double checked as soon as you can. demand it if you have to. you must be your own advocate. acc is a tricky cancer so you want to have it removed as soon as possible. but hopefully you don;t have it at all. let me know if i can be of any help i know it is scary. i will pray that all will be well and you don't have to be on this roller coaster ride. melissa